Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks. PayThe median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $16.98 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of food preparation workers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 135,700 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $16.98 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of food preparation workers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 135,700 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of food preparation workers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 135,700 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking, such as slicing meat and brewing coffee.
Work Environment
Food preparation workers are employed in places where food is made or served, such as cafeterias, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools. Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Food Preparation Worker
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $16.98 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of food preparation workers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 135,700 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Food preparation workers are employed in places where food is made or served, such as cafeterias, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools. Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Food Preparation Worker
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $16.98 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of food preparation workers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 135,700 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.